President Donald Trump has announced a new executive order that changes the rules about who gets U.S. citizenship when they are born in the country. Starting February 20, children born in the U.S. will not automatically become citizens unless at least one parent is an American citizen or a green card holder. This decision has raised a lot of concerns and could affect many families, especially those from India living in the U.S. on temporary work or student visas.
Currently, there are over five million people of Indian origin in the U.S., including Indian-Americans and those who still hold Indian citizenship. Trump’s order has already been challenged in courts in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and it may not go into effect if the courts decide to block it.
The order is based on a new interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which traditionally grants citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. Trump’s administration argues that children born to parents who are in the country illegally or on temporary visas should not receive citizenship. Specifically, the order states that children born to mothers who are unlawfully present in the U.S. or to mothers who are here temporarily (like on a student or work visa) will not be considered U.S. citizens if their fathers are not citizens or lawful residents.
Milan Vaishnav, a scholar who studies the Indian community in the U.S., said this order is a big change from how the Fourteenth Amendment has been understood. He noted that it could have serious effects on many Indian families, especially those waiting for permanent residency.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a major human rights organization, has criticized the order, calling it an attack on a basic constitutional right. They argue that the Fourteenth Amendment was created to ensure that everyone born in the U.S. has equal rights, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. The ACLU warns that if this order is enforced, it could create a group of people who are not recognized as citizens, making it hard for them to get documents, education, and healthcare.
This executive order is part of a larger focus on immigration and border security, but it is different because it affects legal immigrants and their children. As legal challenges continue, many families are worried about what this means for their future and the citizenship rights of their children. The next few weeks will be crucial in deciding whether this order will be allowed to stand or if it will be overturned in court.
